Christmas with Grandma and Pa

Since school was out and Christmas was coming, we loaded up the van and drove to Grandma and Pa's house for the holiday.  It was a fun break with good food, a warm house perfectly decorated, good company, and lots of entertainment.  My sister and her family joined us, and it made everything a little more crazy and a lot more fun.

Anyone who knows Michael knows he loves anything with wheels.  This includes Pa's tractor. 

Pa took him for a ride and he had a great time.

Laurel on the swing.

Laurel's turn with Pa on the tractor.

Christmas Eve.  Dressed and ready for bed.

 

Santa brought Laurel a new Jessie doll. 

Michael got a race track - that was the world's greatest gift.  Man, Santa's on a roll with Michael.  The giant dump truck last year and the race track this year.  He's good.

Michael and Pa had to try out the stocking stuffers.

Erik and I gave the kids sleeping bags this year.  They had to try them out right away.

Baby Ben got cozy in Laurel's bag.

We got lucky and it snowed on Christmas day!  It was beautiful to have a white Christmas.

Michael enjoyed the snow.

We took a trip to visit Great-grandma and Laurel and cousin E sneaked outside to jump on Aunt Karen's trampoline.   They had fun - for a limited time.

A couple nights during our visit the girls put on a "show" for all of us after dinner.  E played the guitar and Laurel was in charge of the dance moves.  It was very entertaining.  Very.

Of course, we had to have fat noodles.  A tradition in my family.  Every year after Christmas the ladies of the family rise a little earlier and make homemade noodles for a delicious dinner that night.  Laurel did a great job jumping in to help.  She knows how to keep tradition alive.

It was a Merry Christmas.